About Us

What we do

Tech Bandito exists for ONE reason! To serve your technology needs. So we do pretty much whatever you need us to do. Ya’ know, within reason (and within the confines of the law). Fix broken computers? Check. Setup a mind blowing Home Theater? Check. If it involves living a more productive life through technology, and if it’s within our powers, we will get it done.

Why we do it

Because we love it! And not just because we love technology or because we love doing the work, which we do, but because we love being able to help people. Leaving people better off than we found them, and with a smile on their face, genuinely brings us happiness. Plus we get to play with so many cool toys.

Who we are

Tech Bandito is a small team of, actually, just me at the moment. But given some time I sure hope to expand somewhere down the road! I’ve been an IT support technician for 16 years but I’ve been fixing my own computers since I was 11 years old way back in 1988. There, now you know my secret.

Raul Aguilar
Senior Support Bandito

Raul was born and raised in San Francisco and has worked in IT for 16 years for companies including The Geek Squad, Best Buy, CompUSA, Food.com, Wells Fargo, and Genentech. He is also a life long movie nut and home theater enthusiast with a passion for film making.

Who's this handsome fella?

Where it really all started was as an 11 year old boy with a passion for video games. My biggest obstacle was my dad’s problem plagued Tandy 1000 computer. So I can honestly say everything I learned about fixing computers, prior to beginning my career, was a result of trying to make my games just work or work even better.

When the games had problems, I needed to figure out how to fix them, which would have been way easier if the internet was around back then! As the games got better, I needed better hardware and I had to install it. Before long I was building my own computers from scratch, and upgrading them to keep up with evolving game requirements.

While I don’t spend much time playing video games these days (although occasionally I get sucked into one, but hey, I’m only human!), I do still have a passion for fixing computer problems and finding ways to use technology to improve my life and my productivity.

My professional career started at Egghead Software as a salesman of all things computer. When they shut down nearly overnight (we went home one day as normal and came back the next morning to signs plastered all over the windows about a going out of business sale), I got a job doing business sales and support at CompUSA. I then did computer game Quality Assurance testing for Mindscape which taught me a lot about troubleshooting and paying attention to even the smallest of details.

The StartUp boom happened and, drawn by my first official computer support position, I went to Food.com where I learned about corporate IT support and started to refine my customer service skills. After that I worked for Wells Fargo, a 3 month contract that lasted for 6, where I had the awesome duty of flying all over the country and driving all over a given state upgrading bank managers laptops. That was fun.

From there I went back to CompUSA, this time as a repair technician. And this is where I learned to repair laptops and started doing computer work in customers homes as the primary Delivery-N-Install guy. I eventually moved on to Best Buy where I worked on every computer problem you could imagine. And when they eventually started their Geek Squad in-home pilot program, I was one of the first 9 in the country to don the uniform and drive the now iconic VW Beetle. That was a terrific year long experience working in peoples homes, helping them solve problems, and leaving them with smiles!

But all good things must end, and that job soon become something much different than what it’s founders had built, so I moved on to Genentech at their help desk. After 6 months as a contractor I was hired full time into the Network Operations Center where I stayed for the next 8 years, learning about corporate backup administration, service and system outage management, and much more.

My other great passion in life? Movies. It would be considered inappropriate these days, but when I was 10 years old my dad introduced me to Science Fiction movies like Outland, A Boy and His Dog, 2001, West World, Alien, and Ice Pirates. And these films absolutely captured my imagination! It started a life long love affair with all things cinematic. The sheer volume of useless information filling my head about movies, actors, and directors would shock you.

When I was 12 or 13 I wrote my first screenplay. It wasn’t any good mind you, but it had a fun idea at it’s core about a group of army brat kids rescuing the daughter of the President of the Universe from aliens! I know, I know… But that turned into making stop motion films with legos and eventually to writing feature length screenplays and making short films.

But watching movies wasn’t neglected either. And when I was 24 I bought my first projector instead of a TV and I watched Aliens 12 feet wide on the wall of my living room… Mind. Was. Blown. And I never bought a regular TV again. That soon brought me to 5.1 surround sound and eventually to 7.1 (And now I’m eyeing Dolby Atmos, but I digress), HTPCs, drop down electric projector screens, and 1080p 3D projectors.

My grandfather was a migrant worker in Texas until he joined the army during World War II and later became an auto mechanic. Growing up I would spend summers with my sisters in the enormous backyard of his house filled with fruit trees and vegetables of all kinds. Inside the house was the constant aroma of amazing food prepared by my grandmother, who was a migrant worker as well and, along with her sisters, worked with Cesar Chavez.

Today, while my backyard isn’t nearly as big or accommodating, my fiance and I grow fruits and vegetables of our own and have dedicated the little space we do have to raised beds and wine barrel planters. And grandpa would be proud to know I have a big apple tree and a small avocado tree! Grandma would be equally proud to know that I have become a pretty decent cook, and I make a mean Chile Relleno!

What Our Customers Say

I knocked a glass of water onto my high end gaming computer. A friend of mine who has worked with Tech Bandito told me to call them up. Raul was very professional and knowledgeable. Now my computer is running better than ever. Compared to some of the other house call tech services provided by big stores Raul’s customer service and attentiveness were off the charts. Pricing was great as well. I would strongly recommend Tech Bandito for any and all of your tech needs.

Matt / Sales

I was having some real problems with my computer and called Tech Bandito on the advice of a friend. Raul, was there exactly on time and was extremely professional and knowledgeable. He was able to fix the myriad of problems I was having within a few hours. He also gave me some very useful tips and advice as to how I can get the best performance from my computer. I would recommend him to anyone who needs a highly skilled technician to get their computer problems solved.

Toby / Health Services

Then I found Raul. After a few hours, it was like I had a new computer. Raul was easy to work with and I felt very comfortable with his style. He was always clear with me regarding every step he performed and spent time showing me tips on my computer to keep things running smoothly going forward. Raul saved me money and so much future frustration. Raul is, without a doubt, the tech support guru and highly recommended!

Janeira / Homemaker

Tech Bandito is more than simply computer consulting, it is a life-saver in the midst of the ongoing storm of technology updates and upgrades! Raul’s tech support came to my attention at just the right time and his expertise was invaluable. He personalized service and deep knowledge of technology operations relieved my stress over keeping up and maintaining the technology that my business has become so reliant upon – like I said, a true life-saver!

Tracy / TLC Services

Raul spent time explaining to me exactly what was going on and patiently answered all of my questions. Finally, once I got my computer back, Raul made himself available anytime I needed help trouble shooting new software and re-establishing all of my old files in the updated software. That helped me jump back into work flawlessly. Raul’s charges were extremely fair and clear. I highly recommend Raul for any tech needs!